§ 601 -   Judicial nominating board created; composition

§ 601. Judicial nominating board created; composition

(a) A judicial nominating board is created for the nomination of supreme court justices, and superior and district judges.

(b) The board shall consist of eleven members who shall be selected as folllows:

(1) The governor shall appoint two members who are not attorneys at law.

(2) The senate shall elect three of its members, not all of whom shall be members of the same party, and only one of whom may be an attorney at law.

(3) The house shall elect three of its members, not all of whom shall be members of the same party, and only one of whom may be an attorney at law.

(4) Attorneys at law admitted to practice before the supreme court of Vermont, and residing in the state, shall elect three of their number as members of the board. The supreme court shall regulate the manner of their nomination and election.

(5) The members of the board appointed by the governor shall serve for terms of two years and may serve for no more than three terms. The members of the board elected by the house and senate shall serve for terms of two years and may serve for no more than three consecutive terms. The members of the board elected by the attorneys at law shall serve for terms of two years and may serve for no more than three consecutive terms. All appointments or elections shall be between January 1 and February 1 of each odd-numbered year, except to fill a vacancy. Members shall serve until their successors are elected or appointed.

(6) The members shall elect their own chair who will serve for a term of two years.

(c) The members of the judicial nominating board shall be entitled to compensation of $30.00 a day for the time spent in the performance of their duties, and reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(d) The judicial nominating board shall adopt rules under chapter 25 of Title 3 which shall establish criteria and standards for the nomination of qualified candidates for judicial appointment including, but not limited to such factors as integrity, legal knowledge and ability, judicial temperament, impartiality, health, experience, diligence, administrative and communicative skills, social consciousness and public service.

(e) A quorum of the committee shall consist of eight members.

(f) The board is authorized to use the staff and services of appropriate state agencies and departments as necessary to conduct investigations of applicants. (1966, No. 64 (Sp. Sess.), § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1967; amended 1967, No. 306 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 1969, No. 125, § 6; 1971, No. 161 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1975, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1979, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1985, No. 108 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 25, 1986.)